We are ordained to bear much fruit worthy of the Kingdom. We must not stop abiding. Jesus was passionate about being connected to His Father, and we must be passionate about being connected with Jesus, who is the true vine, and as the branches, allow the Father to be the vinedresser – pruning and perfecting in us what He desires to perfect. God is preparing and perfecting His Holy Vineyard.
“ I am the true Vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that continues to bear fruit, He [repeatedly] prunes, so that it will bear more fruit [even richer and finer fruit]. You are already clean because of the word which I have given you [the teachings which I have discussed with you]. Remain in Me, and I [will remain] in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself without remaining in the vine, neither can you [bear fruit, producing evidence of your faith] unless you remain in Me. I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken off] branch, and withers and dies; and they gather such branches and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in Me and My words remain in you [that is, if we are vitally united and My message lives in your heart], ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified and honored by this, when you bear much fruit, and prove yourselves to be My [true] disciples.” John 15 : 1 – 8
John 15:1–8, John 15:16–17, Ephesians 5:26, Matthew 7:15–20, Matthew 21:18–19
God determines the purpose of our gathering. What if He asks us to . . . shout and dance and sound the trumpets? What if God shows up and it’s unfamiliar – but is still God? Will we choose the unfamiliar, even if it costs us some familiar? Or will we reject the unfamiliar and go back to the familiar?
Exodus 33:7-11, 2 Corinthians 5:1, Matthew 14:23, I Corinthians 6:19-20, Ephesians 2 : 19- 22
We gather to meet with God, and HE designates the purpose of why we gather.
We’ve created tabernacles of meetings called churches – the original purpose of the Tabernacle of Meeting was to be a dwelling place, a habitation at a particular time for a purpose designated by an authority. A place for people to encounter God, but became a place for people to meet people and merely talk about God.
Who’s the authority that designates the purpose for why we gather? NOT US!
Exodus 33:7–11, Matthew 14:23, Matthew 6:6, Ephesians 2:19–22, Deuteronomy 4:29
Hopelessness is a result of discouragement unchecked that develops into depression. Depression has moved in and settled into people in record numbers. According to the World Health Organization an estimated 3.8% of the entire population experienced depression. Approximately 280,000,000 people in the world have some form of depression.
We need HOPE in our lives! The world needs HOPE! There is no long-term hope without God!
3 Essential Keys to establishing and maintaining a life filled with HOPE:
1) Peace with God
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” Romans 5 : 1
2) Access into Grace
“through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand,
and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5 : 2
3) Glory in Tribulations
“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations,
knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;” Romans 5 : 3
Ephesians 2:12, Romans 5:4–5, Romans 8:24–25, Romans 5:1–5
JESUS did everything for us that He can do! And now, the question is – What will we do for Him?
Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. It’s uncontestable. BUT knowing that will not get me to Heaven. I must BELIEVE that He is the Resurrection and the Life. That’s what gets me into His presence.
Is what Jesus did enough to give your life to Jesus?
5 “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2 : 5 – 11
Philippians 2:5-11, John 1:4-5, 12, John 10:17-18. Hebrews 2:14-15, I Peter 5:6, John 11:25-26, Romans 10:9-10